Salvation: Has the means to it ever changed?

The answer to this question is yes! We’ll see three examples of it in this study. I hope you know that salvation today comes to anyone by believing the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is one’s sole basis for it. 

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

¹ Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

² By which also ye are saved [SOZO = saved or delivered (from condemnation)], if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

³ For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ DIED for our sins according to the scriptures;

⁴ And that he was BURIED, and that he ROSE AGAIN the third day according to the scriptures: [Emphasis added]

Then we’ve been given a more detailed explanation of what happened through all this—

2 Corinthians 5:21

²¹ For he [God the Father] hath made him [Jesus Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. [Emphasis added]

But how were people saved before this great event occurred? Even though this event was prophesied it was stated in such veiled terms that no one in those former days understood what the Scriptures were speaking of [Isaiah 53; Psalm 22].  Therefore, the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus came as a complete surprise to everyone, even the apostles.  When Jesus told them it was about to occur even Simon Peter tried to talk Him out of it.

Matthew 16:21-22

²¹ From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and BE KILLED, and BE RAISED again the third day.

²² Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. [Emphasis added]

So, what was it that provided salvation in those times before Christ bore our sins on the cross, died, and was resurrected? Didn’t everyone need salvation in those days just as they do today? Let’s look at some examples of this.

#1 The Rich Young Ruler

Matthew 19:16-22

¹⁶ And behold, one came and said unto Him, “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”

How would you answer this question today? Would your answer be much like the answer Jesus gave this man?

¹⁷ And He said unto him, “Why callest thou Me good? There is none good but One, that is, God. But if thou wilt enter into Life, keep the commandments.”

¹⁸ He said unto Him, “Which?” Jesus said, “‘Thou shalt do no murder; thou shalt not commit adultery; thou shalt not steal; thou shalt not bear false witness;

¹⁹ honor thy father and thy mother; and, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.’”

²⁰ The young man said unto Him, “All these things have I kept from my youth up. What lack I yet?”

²¹ Jesus said unto him, “If thou wilt be perfect [TELEIOS = complete or mature], go and sell what thou hast and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven; and come and follow Me.”

²² But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. [Emphasis added]

So, the answer Jesus gave was to keep the commandments and to have all ones material possessions in common with others. Don’t we then see the apostles and others doing this? Again, is this the answer we should have concerning the means to one’s salvation today? Here we have the record of how the apostles and others responded to our Lord about this.

Acts 2:43-45

⁴³ And fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

⁴⁴ And all who believed were together and had all things in common,

⁴⁵ and they sold their possessions and goods and divided them among all men, as every man had need. [Emphasis added]

Acts 4:33-35

³³ And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.

³⁴ Neither was there any among them that lacked, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold

³⁵ and laid them down at the apostles’ feet. And distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. [Emphasis added]

But don’t we also have the record of what then happened. Didn’t the apostle Paul later see the need to collect an offering for those who made this application.

Romans 15:25-26

²⁵ But now I [Paul] go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.

²⁶ For it hath pleased those of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the POOR saints who are at Jerusalem. [Emphasis added]

So, WHY did this happen? Why weren’t their needs being met without other believers having to do this to meet their material needs? Answer: Because Israel rejected the message presented by the apostles.  Nearly everyone refused to accept this Jesus of Nazareth as their promised Messiah.  And this attitude of rejection continued throughout the timeframe of the book of Acts, and even today. Today it is nearly impossible to find a Jew who will accept Jesus as their Messiah. Note the clear record of this when this statement was made years later at the end of the time frame of the book of Acts.

Acts 28:25-29

²⁵ And when they were unable to agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one word: “Well spoke the Holy Ghost through Isaiah the prophet unto our fathers,

²⁶ saying, ‘Go unto this people and say, “Hearing, ye shall hear and shall not understand; and seeing, ye shall see and not perceive.

²⁷ For the heart of this people has waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.”’

²⁸ “Be it known therefore unto you that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they WILL hear it.”

²⁹ And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had great reasoning among themselves. [Emphasis added]

Then we have a second passage to study concerning all this matter—

#2 The Jews Gathered at Pentecost

How was it that these people gained salvation?

Acts 2:36-47

³⁶ “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

³⁷ Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

³⁸ Then Peter said unto them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

³⁹ For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all who are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”

⁴⁰ And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, “Save yourselves from this untoward generation.”

⁴¹ Then those who gladly received his words were baptized, and that same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

⁴² And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in the breaking of bread and in prayers.

⁴³ And fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

⁴⁴ And all who believed were together and had all things in common,

⁴⁵ and they sold their possessions and goods and divided them among all men, as every man had need.

⁴⁶ And continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. [Emphasis added]

So, is this the way evangelism should be conducted today? Is this the message that should be given to lead people to salvation? It certainly was then! But note a third illustration related to our subject matter.

#3 The Philippian Jailer

How is it that this man gained salvation? What do the Scriptures tell us about his salvation?

Acts 16:25-31

²⁵ And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God, and the prisoners heard them.

²⁶ And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s bands were loosed.

²⁷ And the keeper of the prison, awakening out of his sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew out his sword and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled.

²⁸ But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Do thyself no harm, for we are all here!”

²⁹ Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling and fell down before Paul and Silas,

³⁰ and brought them out and said, “Sirs, WHAT must I do to be saved?”

That’s probably the most important question anyone could ever ask about anything? That’s why we always need to be prepared to give a correct answer.

³¹ And they said, “BELIEVE IN the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” [Emphasis added]

Isn’t this THIRD example to do with the manner in which someone is saved today? Here’s what the Scriptures tell us.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

¹ Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the GOSPEL which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

² By which also ye are SAVED [SOZO = saved or delivered (from condemnation)], if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

³ For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ DIED for our sins according to the scriptures;

⁴ And that he was BURIED, and that he ROSE AGAIN the third day according to the scriptures: [Emphasis added]

But why is there so much confusion and controversy about this today? Is this gospel what is taught in most churches? It is NOT! In nearly every church you enter, personal works of one kind or another are emphasized as the means or at least A PART of the means to one’s salvation. But is that correct? Is this what the apostle Paul tells us? Doesn’t he tell us our works have NOTHING to do with it?

Ephesians 2:8-9

⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God—

⁹ NOT by works, lest any man should boast. [Emphasis added]

We’re clearly told that we should initiate good works AFTER one’s initial faith in Him for salvation.  But we’re not told that works are the means to it.

Ephesians 2:10

¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus UNTO good works, which [the Christian life principles] God hath beforehand ordained, that we should walk in them. [Emphasis added]

You’ll find numerous articles about this on this website—

Salvation:  Does it have to be earned by good works?

Salvation:  Is it really a GIFT?

Salvation:  Is repentance necessary?

Salvation:  What part does man’s work play in it?

Clearly there are many good works a person should do AFTER they’ve been saved but that does not mean that good works are somehow the means or even a part of the means to one’s salvation. Scripture is very clear on this even though there are so many people who reject it. As I often say, the only thing any of us contributed to our salvation was the sin that demanded it.

Romans 4:4-5

⁴ Now to him that worketh, his reward is reckoned not according to grace, but according to debt.

⁵ But to him that WORKETH NOT, but BELIEVETH IN HIM that justifieth the ungodly, his FAITH is counted for righteousness, [Emphasis added]

Verses of Scripture that demand good works as a part of the means to one’s salvation are not addressed to us but to Israel and for a people of a former time and for a future time [the time of the coming seven-year period of what is typically called The Tribulation]. You’ll find articles on this website that clearly address this.

Works: How important are they?

Works: What about verses that seem to demand them for salvation?

In the times before Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection people didn’t know these things would happen.  The crucifixion and resurrection of Christ came as a complete surprise to everyone, even the apostles.

After seeing in the Bible these THREE different ways people have been saved, is it any wonder that people can get confused about the means for their own salvation? This just goes to show the importance of understanding certain things about your Bible especially concerning the principle of right division. This is why I’ve written so many articles about this—

Bible:  How can one gain the truth?

Bible:  How should one study it?

Bible:  Must one know the original languages to study it?

Bible:  What are the TWO programs?

Bible:  What are we to think of the King James Version (KJV)?

Bible:  Where should a person begin studying?

We even have video studies about this.  Here are the links to two of them—

#18 ~ Rightly Dividing the Scriptures – Part 1

#19~Rightly Dividing the Scriptures ~ Part 2

At the heart of our question, we all need to realize that it has always been personal faith that has pleased God.  Salvation has always been about believing God.  It has not been about believing IN God but believing God. The difference has been in how He wanted our faith to be expressed.  The focus has been on the object of one’s faith.  Since the time of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection it has been something different from what it had been before then.  I put the 1 Corinthians 15 passage on this website so often because of the extreme importance of its content.  There really isn’t anything else that is more important.

Conclusion—

In the time of Adam and Eve being in the Garden of Eden, salvation was all about their obedience to the command to not partake of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Outside the Garden of Eden the object of one’s faith had to do with what God had promised.  We see this elsewhere but we especially see this in the promise given to Abram who eventually came to be called Abraham.

Genesis 12:1-3

¹ Now the Lord had said unto Abram, “Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee.

² And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.

³ And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee; and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” [Emphasis added]

This was later followed by the sacrificial system God gave to the nation of Israel.  There again it was all about them believing what God had told them.  It was in this manner that they expressed their faith.

Then there were the promises of a Messiah and the incarnation of Christ.  Altogether this became the object of their faith. This is what believing in “the NAME” of Jesus was all about.  Here’s the link to my article about this—

Jesus Christ:  What does it mean to believe in His NAME?

Then in the time since Christ’s resurrection, the emphasis has been on what Jesus accomplished through His death, burial, and resurrection.

Again, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

¹ Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the GOSPEL which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

² By which also ye are SAVED [SOZO = saved or delivered (from condemnation)], if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

³ For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ DIED for our sins according to the scriptures;

⁴ And that he was BURIED, and that he ROSE AGAIN the third day according to the scriptures: [Emphasis added]

Then we have this one verse explanation of it—

2 Corinthians 5:21

²¹ For He [God the Father] hath made Him [Jesus Christ] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. [Emphasis added]

It is this that we speak of as justification [being made the righteousness of God] by faith. You’ll find a complete explanation of that in my article about it—

Justification: How does the Bible define it?

Scripture tells us Christ was three days and three nights in the grave. How we’re to fit three days and three nights between a Friday and a Sunday has always been a subject of great controversy. But this IS what we’re to believe.

Matthew 12:39-40

³⁹ But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

⁴⁰ For Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. [Emphasis added]

As I’ve mentioned numerous times on this website, we need to be very careful about trusting traditions. We need to learn to back up everything we believe with Scripture rightly divided. We’re even commanded to do this—

2 Timothy 2:15

¹⁵ Study [SPOUDAZO = be diligent] to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. [Emphasis added]

It is when a person comes to understand the meaning and application of this verse that so much of the Bible will make sense to them like never before.